Keith Pugh, Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, speaks first during Mal Moore's 'Celebration of Life' public memorial, Thursday, April 04, 2013, at the University of Alabama's Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Keith Pugh was more than just the pastor for Mal Moore's private funeral service and more than just the emcee of sorts at Thursday's "Celebration of Life."

Pugh, a pastor at Open Door Ministries, played football at Alabama during the 1970s. Moore was an offensive coordinator during Pugh's career as a wide receiver.

Later, the two became good friends.

"Coach Moore is gone but he's going to impact the lives of a lot of students, the people in this state and community," Pugh said.

"To me it's just a story of hard work," Pugh said. "Coach Moore came from Dozier, Alabama, as a freshman, very homesick wanting to go home. Then 49 years later, they're naming the football complex after him. I think that's quite a story."